What's Thailand Known For? Reasons to Visit In 2023!

I’m here to answer if you’ve ever wondered what Thailand is known for. Thailand is best known as a land of history, dotted with beautiful temples, relaxing beaches, colorful festivals, and delicious cuisine. 

Even if you only plan to hit the major cities in Thailand, you’ll get a diverse travel experience. There’s the bustling city of Bangkok, the sea views of Pattaya, the more laid-back vibe of Phuket, and the mountainous landscape of Chiang Mai.

If you’re looking to take an affordable trip somewhere, then go ahead and plan a budget trip to Thailand.

Here are the top 6 things Thailand is famous for that you should consider making time for during your trip!

6. Stunning Beaches

Thailand is notorious for its many beautiful beaches that stretch along its expansive coastline. Whether you’re looking for quiet relaxation or fun parties, you’ll find some of the most stunning beaches in Thailand that cater to your interests. 

Explore Thailand’s crystal clear waters, craggy limestone formations, hidden coves, colorful coral reefs, and lively underwater ecosystems. 

Some of the popular beaches you can visit among others are the Haad Rin Nai beach for the monthly Full Moon Party, the Similan Islands for one of the world’s best snorkeling experiences, and the scenic white sand beach in Koh Chang. 

5. Delicious Thai Cuisine and Street Food

Thailand is famous globally for its cuisine due to its freshness and bursting flavors. Your visit to Thailand will not be complete without you giving the many mouthwatering dishes a go. After all, food is an integral part of every country’s culture! 

You can enjoy Pad Thai in its country of origin, have a steaming bowl of Tom Yum Goong, or be a bit adventurous with Gaeng Tai Pla. 

Thailand is also a street food haven. You’ll easily be able to spot the many street food corners and carts selling dishes, including:

• Gai Tod – Thai fried chicken
• Som Tam – green papaya salad
• Kai Jeow – Thai omelet
• Banana pancake

In Bangkok, some places you can visit for street food are Chinatown, Soi Rambuttri, and Liab Duan Night Market.

4. Beautiful Temples

Thailand is a Buddhist country with grand temples celebrating Buddhism. You can’t miss this crucial part of Thailand’s vibrant culture and history. On your itinerary for Bangkok, you can add a visit to Wat Pho, the largest and oldest temple in the city, and Wat Phra Kaew.

Ayutthaya and Sukhothai are also must-visit stops. You’ll want to make the time to see these historic cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites! 

Many of Thailand’s cities are also littered with temples, such as Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, etc. 

Did you know that the country has around 40,000 temples? That’s why Thailand is known for its temples and also why you should make sure to add at least one or two to your plans! 

3. Lively Nightlife

Thailand is notorious for its unforgettable nightlife. The major Thai destinations of Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai all come to life at night and are known as partying cities. 

But you’ll get the whole experience of Thailand nightlife, wherever you are in the country. You can enjoy beachside bars and clubs and neighborhoods lined with nightlife celebrations. Its venues have beautiful mountain views, great food, and live music to dance the night away.

2. Fun Festivals

If you want to immerse yourself in Thailand’s culture, plan your trip around one of the country’s many incredible festivals. 

Songkran, a Thai water festival, is one of the most fun festivals in Thailand. It takes place during the Thai New Year over 3 days, April 13-15. You can join in on the country-wide water fight and enjoy the massive celebration involving dance, music, and drinks. 

Loy Krathong festival is a beautiful sight to behold. It takes place on a full moon evening of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar, which usually falls in November. 

You’ll find people releasing candle-lit vessels, known as krathongs, into the river to pay respects to the goddess of water. If you’re in Thailand for the Loy Krathong festival, you’ll also be able to enjoy the Yi Peng festival, which marks the end of the rainy season. 

During the Yi Peng festival, floating lanterns are released into the night sky to pay respect to Buddha.

Other noteworthy festivals include:

• Lunar New Year - January or February
• Chiang Mai Flower Festival - February
• Phi Ta Khon Festival (Ghost Festival) - March and July
• New Year's - January

1. Grand National Parks & Elephants

Thailand has an array of beautiful national parks on offer. You can go on an adventure to take in grand rainforests, waterfalls, and wildlife at the national parks.

You can go camping and hiking at Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand’s largest national park. Spend the day here exploring the waterfalls, caves, and ponds!

The national park is famous for its wildlife. Depending on the season, you can glimpse elephants, leopards, bears, deer, and many other mammals.

On a search for Thailand’s limestone cliffs? Visit the Khao Sok National Park for its limestone karsts and lush rainforest. You can go hiking and then head over to Cheow Lan Lake to relax or kayak.

Other notable national parks are Chet Sao Noi Waterfall National Park, Namtok Phlio National Park, and Doi Inthanon National Park, among many others.

You might spot elephants in most of the national parks mentioned here. After all, elephants are ingrained in Thai culture and are one of the main attractions for tourists. 

Book Your Trip to Thailand with Pilot

Thailand is a large country with sights, culture, and cuisine changing as you move from the South to the North. Depending on the trip duration, you might only be able to cover a few places. With the help of this article, you can narrow down and prioritize the key things you’d like to experience the most. 

Pilot can help you plan the perfect itinerary and give you the vacation of your dreams.